Three area wrestlers have qualified for tonight’s Class 3A State Wrestling Tournament semifinal round. ADM sophomore Andrew Flora (106), Perry junior Zachary Thompson (120), and W0odward-Granger freshman Cody Fisher (195) have their dreams of winning State titles alive. The trio won quarterfinal round matches Friday afternoon and will take to the mats around 8:45 tonight in the semifinals with a trip to the Championship round Saturday night at stake.

Flora, ranked seventh, won a 5-4 decision over second ranked Jack Thomsen of Union (La Porte City) to improve to 47-5 on the season. The big move for Flora came in the closing seconds of the second period with a 3-3 score. He was in danger of giving up a takedown on the edge of the mat, but instead, was able to get a takedown for himself and a 5-3 lead. Thomsen escaped late in the third period, but it wasn’t enough, and Flora is in the semifinals vs. top ranked Grayson Kesterson (47-1) of Williamsburg.

Thompson of Perry was a 9-1 major decision winner Friday afternoon over Sinjin Briggs of Gilbert to advance to the semifinals for the third time in as many years for the junior. Thompson took an early lead and was never in serious trouble. He is 50-5 and meets Bryce West of Solon, ranked number one. Thompson is ranked sixth

Fisher continues to impress. The only freshman in the 16 man 2A bracket at 195 lbs. won 5-2 over Creston/Orient-Macksburg senior Jackson Mikkelson to improve to 45-5. Fisher never trailed, and he was up 3-2 very late before securing a takedown to clinch the victory, and the trip to the semifinals. The unranked ninth grader meets number seven Sam Moore of Mt. Version in the semifinals.

Three others from the listening area lost quarterfinal matches. Kaleb Olejniczak (113) lost by fall in 2:45 to Aden Reeves of Albia, but the Blue Jays’ tournament continues as he won in the consolation second round by fall in 1:47 over Gabe Lewis of Denver-Tripoli, and will be a State place winner. Nolan Harsh of ADM (138) lost 6-0 to Skyler Noftsger of Ballard (Huxley) in the quarterfinals, then he lost 4-2 in the consolation round to Jake Recker of Beckman Catholic (Dyersville). Harsh ends the season with a 35-10 record. Winters senior Justin Smith (145) lost by fall in 1:13 in the quarterfinals to Mitchel Swank of C/O-M. Smith dropped a heartbreaker in the consolation round to end his season at 36-11. Smith trailed Austin Hazelett of Washington, but went ahead 4-3 on a takedown with 10 seconds left. However, Hazelett scored a reversal and two near fall points as the match ended.

In the second consolation round, Bryce Hatten of Winterset at 106 pinned Johnny Hua of MOC-Floyd Valley in 1:22 and Hatten will be a State place winner. Tanner Vermaas of W-G (182) won 6-4 over Harrison Goebel of West Delaware (Manchester) to place at State for the first time.

Zach Stewart of Perry lost 5-2 to Sergeant Bluff-Lyton’s Braden Curry at 132 lbs. to end his season at 48-10. Hunter Ruth (220) of Greene County lost by fall in 1:23 to Caleb Ring of Osage and Ruth’s season is over at 31 wins and 5 losses.

Action continues on all three Raccoon Valley Radio stations and www.raccoonvalleyradio.com at 7:30 p.m.